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iPhoneographer of the Day – Richard Torres

Several months ago the man behind “The Carpal Tunnel Project” reached out to me wanting me to take a look at his work. I was automatically drawn to the title of his blog, which I believe all of us iPhoneogrpaher’s can relate to the feeling of carpal tunnel syndrome after shooting and editing. In the months following my initial encounter with Richard Torres I have kept a close eye on his work and I can now see it has developed immensely.

Richard in his own words…

(Break Time)

EC: Where are you from? Tell me about yourself?

RT: I’m 28 years old. I was born and raised in a small town in California. When I get a chance I like to travel and discover new places. I enjoy photography, art, technology, and most things retro.

EC: How did you get into iPhoneography?

RT: It started back when I got the 3G and bought my first app.(Best Camera) I would take random shots and post them on Facebook in an album titled “iPhone photo of the day”.

EC: Can you recall the first iPhoto you took that made you go WOW, I really got something here!?(please include the photo if you answer this)RT: It was a photo I took while picking up a friend and the Amtrak. I thought WOW… I didn’t even have to use my DSLR.

(Fresno, Amtrak)

EC: What does iPhoneography mean to you?

RT: As a photographer it means never missing a moment and it’s a new way to express myself and keep the creativity flowing.

EC: Do you have any formal training regarding traditional photography?

RT: No. I’m some what self-taught. Thanks to the internet and it’s endless amount info.

(Man vs. Magazine)

EC:What about your hometown is so special that it makes you what to capture it through your iPhone?

RT: My home town of Sanger, is a small town that is rapidly growing. It’s neighborhoods and town are rich in detail and it’s people live an easygoing life-style keeping it interesting and keep me wanting to capture it through my iPhone.

EC: What has been the some of the challenges of using the iPhone as a camera?

RT: My only challenge is putting it away. Especially at the table, work, or when I’m trying to go to sleep.

EC: Has your work been published before, if so, where? Did you ever expect your work to be noticed by the iPhoneography community?

RT: I’ve had a couple of photos featured on Pixels The art of the iPhone titled “Red hat special” and “Tonka Who? on Bickr titled “Tunnel vision”. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started to show my work. So with all the talent out there in the iPhone community, I’m satisfied and humbled when someone follows me on Twitter/Tumblr or reblogs one of my photos.

(Donations Accepted)

EC: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction from people to your iPhotographs?

RT: The most predictable reaction has to be “wow, you took that with your phone”. The most surprising and favorite reaction, is when someone says, “look at this photo I took with my phone, your photo got me looking at things different.

EC: What’s in your iPhone camera bag? What app(s) do you currently use the most often?

RT: My current go to apps are Filterstorm and CrossProcess. I also use ShakeItPhoto, Best Camera, PicturShow, Hipstamatic, Vint B&W, Big Button, and TiltShiftGen.

EC: Would you mind telling us how you have created a piece of iPhonographic work from start to finish?

RT: Sure.

STEP I: This photo was simple. I took it using the Hipsatmataic app.lens: John Sfilm: Ina’s 1969flash: Off

STEP 2: Not satisfied with the first photo, I ran it through the Filterstorm app and bumped up the brightness/contrast.

(First Night of Rain)

EC: What other thoughts would you like to share?

RT: I want to thank you Edgar for your hard work. I am honored to be featured on iPhoneogenic amongst some very talented photographers. To the people who follow me on Twitter/Tumblr and all the iPhone blogs out there, thanks for the support!